Switching apparatus



Sept. 9, 1941.

E. C. MATTHEWS SWITCHING APPARATUS Filed July 18, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l In ventor 10 23)" CZ/Wa/ffiews A tiomey llll illlll\l Sept. 9, 1941. E. c. MATTHEWS SWITCHING APPARATUS Filgd July 18, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet'Z Inventor Erzzeaf 6. Ma fifiews A tipmey Patented Sept. 9, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SWITCHING APPARATUS Ernest 0. Matthews, Nashville, Tenn.

Application July 18, 1940, Serial No. 346,233

1 Claim.

This invention appertains to new and useful improvements in electrical switching apparatus, and more particularly to automatic switch means for switching from one electrical circuit to another when some fault occurs in the first.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an automatic switch for changing over from one circuit to another or to subsequent circuit, wherein a fuse is utilized as the breaker means in the faulting circuit.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a side elevational view of the switch, shown in a case with the closure in open position.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view through the fuse element.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view through the fuse element.

Figure 'l is a diagrammatic view disclosing the electrical connection between the electrical parts involved, the switch being shown in association with the headlights of an automobile.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen in Figure 7 that the invention for the purpose of illustration is shown in conjunction with the headlights 5 of an automobile in which high and low beam bulbs or filaments 6 and l are located.

The automatic switch is generally referred to by numeral 8 and preferably has a case 3 including a back wall a, side walls 1), top and bottom walls c and d and a hinged front wall 8 having suitable detent means Ill.

The switch assembly also includes a panel ll of insulation which is suitably secured to the inside of the back wall a and this has a ledge l2 at its upper portion formed with an opening l3 therein and through which a stem 14 is slidable. A collar I5 is provided at the upper end of the stem and a compression I6 is interposed between the collar l5 and the top of the ledge l2 and is normally held in compressed position by a fuse generally referred to by numeral ll, to the end that the concaved contact member I8 is held spaced from the stationary contact members I9 and 20 which are suitably secured by binding posts 2| to the underside of the ledge l2.

The fuse ll consists of a pair of telescopic transparent tubes 22 and 23 and cap members 24, 25 respectively at the ends thereof. These gap members are connected by a fusible element Stationarily mounted on the lower portion of the panel H is a well 21 for receiving the cap 24, the upper edge being flanged as at 28 to pre-' vent upward removal of the cap 24.

This well 21 serves as a guide for the lower portion of the fuse. A second well 29 is secured to the lower end of a block 30 of insulation for the purpose of receiving the upper cap 25 which is also flanged at its lower end to prevent displacement of the cap 25.

The upper end of the block 30 is provided with a saddle 3| upon which the concave contact member I8 is disposed. The lower portion of the stem 14 is disposed through the center of the contact l8 and swivelly connected to the saddle 3i. Obviously, the contact l8 has a chance to rotate thus allowing the contacting edge thereof to change from time to time.

As shown in Figure 7, the numeral 32 denotes a source of current having a lead 33 therefrom and a switch 34 controls the supply to the head lamps 5.

Normally, the current will pass from the battery 32, through the switch 34 and through the fuse I! to the jumper 35 and from there to the high beam or first set of bulbs 5. thing occur to cause disruption of the fuse H, the sections 22 and 23 will then be extensible with respect to each other and the spring [6 in extending itself will lift the contact element l8 and cause it to bridge the contacts l9 and 20, resulting in the connection of the source of current 32 with the remaining bulbs 1.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

In a device of the character described, an electric switch comprising an insulation panel, a ledge on said panel, a pair of spaced contact members secured to the bottom side of said ledge, said ledge having an opening therein, a shaft extending through said opening, a head on said shaft, a compressible spring between said head and the top side of said ledge, a saddle secured Should someto the bottom end of said shaft below said ledge, fuse having a telescoping casing provided with a bridge for said contact members on said shaft heads at each end secured in said cup, said fuse above said saddle, an insulating member secured including a fusible element having its ends seto said saddle, a cup secured to said insulating cured to the respective heads to retain the shaft member, a cup fixedly secured to the panel in 5 against movement.

spaced relation to the first named cup, and a ERNEST C. MATTHEWS. 

